Padilha2015 - Relative Advantage Chart

Relative advantage chart for 6th grade Social Studies classes with integrated technology applications.

Social Studies Problem	Technologies	Relative advantage	Expected outcomes
1. Understand how to locate a point on a map using latitude and longitude.	Plotting Latitude and Longitude by using: __LatLong.net__; __Google Maps__; __Google Sheets__	Students are able to locate points on a map, plot latitude and longitude, and create a collection of special locations to be plotted on a google map.	Students will navigate through the latitude and longitude activities online and get instant feedback while exploring the earth.
2. Reflect in writing about the artifacts developed while in the social studies class.	Use online writing program: __Google docs__; __Blogger__	Students and peers are able to share their assignments/artifacts of what they are learning and reflect in writing on the process.	Students will reflect on the process of the assignments and respond to peers postings.
3. Apply research methods to social studies research papers.	__Google Scholar__; __Google docs__	Students will be able to use the research tools found in Google Docs and/or Google Scholar to research current information not found in books.	Students are more willing to look up information if they have an idea of how to search wisely for facts.
4. Apply citations to reports, notes and presentations.	__Google docs__; __Easybib__; __Citation Machine__; __BibMe__	Students will be able to accurately cite information and images.	Students will use the tools to easily cite all information they look up online. Using the tools will help motivate and improve accuracy.
5. Understand the population of the earth and how the day/night changes around the earth.	__Google Earth__ is wonderful, but has to be installed. __NightEarth__ will do similar tasks.	Analyze the differences in the 2000 and 2012 nighttime images. Observe how the earth is half day and half night. Notice where the aura borillas reaches across the earth.	Students can compare how humans have increased in population by observing the increase of lights at night time. They are also able to observe the location of the brightest, meaning more population, and where it connects to physical features such as water.
6. Apply study skills in learning the new vocabulary.	__Quizlet.com__	Students are able to review and practice the new terminology of social studies by reviewing, practicing, and creating vocabulary terms.	Students will gain ownership through challenges among their peers in how to review for new information.
7. Discuss Constitution Day by exploring the constitution, the articles, and government.	__Interactive Constitution__; __Google docs__	Students will discuss collectively using Docs the guiding questions related to the constitution using the online links instead of a paper document.	Students will be able to work together to complete the review guide and enjoy the various tools developed to explain the constitution.
8. Analyze opposing viewpoints.	__Google Hangouts__; __Edmodo__;	Students are able to use web based platforms to communicate directly with peers from all parts of the globe or with subject matter experts in a specific field of study.	Students will gain the ability to analyze an issue from varying viewpoints and also hear directly from experts in the field.
9. Collaborate with classmates on projects	__Google Docs__, __Google Sheets__, __Google Slides__, __Google Hangouts__, __Prezi__, __Blendspaces__	Students will use the various tools to develop, work together, and present projects.	Students will gain the skills to work with a group online to create a final product.
10. Stay informed with current events.	News feed options:__CNN Student News__, __Feedly__	Feedly will gather RSS feeds to allow for current events, and CNN Student News presents the current news in a short and fast paced video.	Students can understand the current events as it is presented to their level of education.